Surgical helmet

ABSTRACT

Implementations described herein include surgical helmet assemblies that have a helmet enclosure shaped to encircle a head of a user. The helmet enclosure retains a fan and includes a brow bar portion at a front of the helmet enclosure that is shaped to extend along a brow or a forehead of the user and having a light positioned therein. The helmet enclosure also includes a stabilizer extending downward from the helmet enclosure in front of the ears of a user, a face shield that is transparent and coupleable to at least the brow bar portion, a headband shaped to extend across an occiput region of the user&#39;s head, and a surgical garment for covering at least the head and shoulders of a user in use. The brow bar portion includes vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushed through the helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user. The face shield is coupleable to the helmet enclosure by one or more of a hook and loop fastener on the helmet enclosure or the stabilizer and a post protruding from the brow bar portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/399,051, filed Sep. 23, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/399,067, filed Sep. 23, 2016, U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/399,071, filed Sep. 23, 2016, and to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/410,131, filed Oct. 19, 2016 thecontent of each of which are incorporated hereby by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surgical helmet assemblies andassociated methods.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

Surgical helmet assemblies can be used during surgical procedures tominimize contamination of surgical wounds and to protect staff fromexposure to bodily fluids and pathogens. Surgical helmet assembliestypically encase at least the head and shoulders of a user, renderingventilation controls important in order to ensure sufficient air supply,CO2 discharge, temperature management, and humidity management. Surgicalhelmet assemblies can also incorporate light sources to enable enhancedvisibility for the user. Such light sources can further raise thetemperature within the surgical helmet assembly and cause discomfort toa user. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide surgical helmetassemblies with, for example, improved ventilation and visibilitywithout compromising functionality.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include providing surgical helmet assemblieshaving improved ventilation and visibility without compromisingfunctionality. The present subject matter can help provide a solution tothis problem, such as by providing surgical helmet assemblies comprisinga helmet enclosure shaped to encircle a head of a user, a fan that canbe retained in the helmet enclosure, a transparent face shield, aheadband coupled to the helmet enclosure, and a surgical garmentcoupleable to the helmet enclosure. The helmet enclosure can include abrow bar portion at a front of the helmet enclosure that can be shapedto extend along a brow or a forehead of the user and a stabilizer thatcan extend downward from the helmet enclosure in front of ears of theuser. The brow bar portion can include a light. The face shield can becoupleable to at least the brow bar portion. The headband can be shapedto extend across an occiput region of the user's head. The surgicalgarment can cover at least the head and shoulders of a user in use. Thebrow bar portion can have vents disposed therein to direct airflowpushed through the helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user. The faceshield can be coupleable to the helmet enclosure by one or more of ahook and loop fastener on the helmet enclosure or the stabilizer and apost protruding from the brow bar portion.

The present subject matter can also include surgical helmet assembliescomprising a helmet enclosure shaped to encircle a head of a user, a fanthat can be retained in the helmet enclosure, a transparent face shield,a headband coupled to the helmet enclosure, and a surgical garmentcoupleable to the helmet enclosure. The helmet enclosure can define atleast one conduit that can be in fluidic communication with the fan andvents disposed in the brow bar portion. The helmet enclosure can includea brow bar portion at a front of the helmet enclosure that can be shapedto extend along a brow or a forehead of the user and a stabilizer thatcan extend downward from the helmet enclosure in front of ears of theuser. The brow bar portion can include a light. The face shield can becoupleable to at least the brow bar portion. The headband can be shapedto extend across an occiput region of the user's head. The surgicalgarment can cover at least the head and shoulders of a user in use. Thebrow bar portion can have vents disposed therein that can direct airflowpushed through the at least one conduit disposed in the helmet enclosurefrom the fan onto the user. The face shield can be coupleable to thehelmet enclosure by one or more of a hook and loop fastener on thehelmet enclosure or the stabilizer and a post protruding from the browbar portion.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a frontview of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B is a frontview of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a sideview of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 3A without a surgicalgarment. FIG. 3C is a back view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG.3A without a surgical garment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B is a sideview of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 4A without a surgicalgarment. FIG. 4C is a back view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG.4A without a surgical garment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial back view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial back view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial back view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8B is aback view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9B is afront view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 10B is a partial perspective view of the brow bar of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a surgical helmetassembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a surgical helmetassembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16A illustrates a partial perspective view of a surgical helmetassembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 16B is a partial side view of the surgical helmetassembly of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19B is afront view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A illustrates a partial perspective front view of a surgicalhelmet assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 20B is a side view of the surgical helmet assembly ofFIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A illustrates a front view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 21B is a front view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 21Aincluding a surgical garment. FIG. 21C is a side view of the surgicalhelmet assembly of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22A illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblywithout a shield according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 22B illustrates the shield for coupling to thehelmet enclosure of FIG. 22A.

FIG. 23A illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblywithout a shield according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 23B illustrates the shield for coupling to thehelmet enclosure of FIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A illustrates a back view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24B is aback view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 24A including asurgical garment. FIG. 24C is a close up view of one embodiment of anexemplary fastener that can be implemented in the surgical helmetassembly of FIG. 24A. FIG. 24D is a side view of the surgical helmetassembly of FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 25B is aside view of one exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet and theface shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 25A. FIG. 25C is aside view of another exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet andthe face shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 26A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 26B is aside view of one exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet and theface shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 26A. FIG. 26C is aside view of another exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet andthe face shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 27B is aside view of one exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet and theface shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 27A. FIG. 27C is aside view of another exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet andthe face shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 27A.

FIG. 28A illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 28B illustrates a perspective view of the surgical helmet assemblyof FIG. 28A with a face shield coupled thereto.

FIG. 29A illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 293 is aside view of one exemplary attachment mechanism for the helmet and theface shield of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 27A.

FIG. 30A is a side view of a surgical helmet assembly according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 30B is aperspective rear view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 30A. FIG.30C is a perspective front view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG.30A.

FIG. 31A is a rear perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 31B is a side view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 31Ahaving a face shield coupled thereto. FIG. 31C is a perspective frontview of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 31A showing one exemplaryimplementation of controls for the surgical helmet assembly. FIG. 31D isa perspective front view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 31Ashowing another exemplary implementation of controls for the surgicalhelmet assembly. FIG. 31E is a perspective front view of the surgicalhelmet assembly of FIG. 31A showing another exemplary implementation ofcontrols for the surgical helmet assembly.

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33A is perspective view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 32.FIG. 33B illustrates the airflow of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG.32. FIG. 33C illustrates the shield attachment of the surgical helmetassembly of FIG. 32. FIG. 33D illustrates the surgical garment placementof the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34A illustrates one operational configuration of the surgicalhelmet assembly of FIG. 32. FIG. 34B illustrates another operationalconfiguration of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 36A-36C illustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37A is side view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 35. FIG.37B illustrates a back perspective view of the surgical helmet assemblyof FIG. 35. FIG. 37C is a cross-sectional side view of the surgicalhelmet assembly of FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 39A-39C illustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40A is side view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 38 showingairflow therein. FIG. 40B illustrates a front perspective view of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 42A-42C illustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43A is side view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 41. FIG.43B illustrates the airflow of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 41.FIG. 43C illustrates a rear perspective view of the surgical helmetassembly of FIG. 41.

FIG. 44 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 45A-45C illustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 illustrates a side view of a surgical helmet assembly accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 47A-47D illustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of thesurgical helmet assembly of FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a side view of the surgical helmet of FIG. 46 showing a firstexemplary airflow pattern.

FIG. 49 is a side view of the surgical helmet of FIG. 46 showing asecond exemplary airflow pattern.

FIG. 50 is a rear perspective view of the surgical helmet assemblyaccording to FIG. 46.

FIG. 51A is a front perspective view of a battery holster according toone exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 51B is a rearperspective view of the battery holster of FIG. 51A.

FIG. 52A is a front perspective view of a battery holster according toone exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 52B is a rearperspective view of the battery holster of FIG. 52A.

FIG. 53A is a front perspective view of a battery holster according toone exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 53B is a rearperspective view of the battery holster of FIG. 53A.

FIG. 54A illustrates a perspective view of a surgical helmet assemblyaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 54B illustrates a perspective view of the surgical helmet assemblyof FIG. 54A without a surgical garment. FIG. 54C illustrates a side viewof the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 54A and FIG. 54D illustrates afront view of the surgical helmet assembly of FIG. 54A.

FIG. 55A illustrates a front view of a surgical garment according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 55B illustrates theback view of the surgical garment of FIG. 55A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

The present teachings provide for surgical helmet assemblies thatimprove ventilation and user comfort. The present teachings provide forsurgical helmet assemblies that improve ventilation and user comfort.The present disclosure incorporates commonly-owned and assigned U.S.patent Ser. No. 14/038,855, filed on Sep. 27, 2013, and U.S. patent Ser.No. 15/332,389, filed on Oct. 24, 2016, by reference in their respectiveentireties except that examples and features discussed herein maysupplement or substitute features disclosed therein. In one example, thepresent inventors have recognized that providing surgical helmetassemblies comprising a helmet enclosure shaped to encircle a head of auser, a fan that can be retained in the helmet enclosure, a transparentface shield, a headband coupled to the helmet enclosure, and a surgicalgarment coupleable to the helmet enclosure can provide, for example andwithout limitation, improved ventilation and visibility withoutcompromising functionality. In such surgical helmet assemblies, thehelmet enclosure can include a lighted brow bar portion at a front ofthe helmet enclosure that can be shaped to extend along a brow or aforehead of the user and a stabilizer that can extend downward from thehelmet enclosure in front of ears of the user. The brow bar portion canhave vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushed through the helmetenclosure from the fan onto the user. The headband can be shaped toextend across an occiput region of the user's head and the surgicalgarment can cover at least the head and shoulders of a user in use. Theface shield can be coupleable to at least the brow bar portion and,additionally or alternatively, can be coupleable to the helmet enclosureby one or more of a hook and loop fastener on the helmet enclosure orthe stabilizer and a post protruding from the brow bar portion. Manyother examples of surgical helmet assemblies and features of surgicalhelmet assemblies are provided below that can provide, for example andwithout limitation, improved ventilation and visibility withoutcompromising functionality. The following examples may focus on certainaspects of surgical helmet assemblies for clarity of descriptionpurposes; however, such examples can be combined and indeed are expectedto be.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate one example of a surgical helmet assembly 100comprising a fan enclosure 102 positionable on the head of a user so asto surround areas of the user's head adjacent to the lower part of theocciput. The fan enclosure 102 can include a downwardly extendingportion 104 positioned behind and at a lower portion of the user's head.The downwardly extending portion 104 can include a plurality ofventilation openings 106 disposed therein below an occiput level 108 ofthe user's head to provide airflow to the wearer's neck. The ventilationopenings 106 can be holes in the shell of the helmet and such holes canbe provided in any variety of sizes, shapes, configurations, and thelike. Holes of the ventilation openings can be angled such that airexiting from the ventilation openings 106 is directed directly towardthe user's neck. Each ventilation opening can be angled (θ) with respectto the horizontal and the angle θ can vary from one ventilation openingto another. Each of the plurality of ventilation openings 106 can bebelow the occiput level 108 of the user's head to allow for more directcooling of the user's neck. The ventilation openings can also bebaffled, and may or may not include ducts or nozzles protruding from thedownwardly extending portion 104 of the helmet. A face shield can becoupled to at least a front portion of the fan enclosure 102 as will bedescribed subsequently.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly 200similar to that of FIGS. 1A-1B but including a chin bar 208. The chinbar 208 can extend from a portion of the fan enclosure 202, either aboveor behind a user's ears. The chin bar 208 and a portion of the fanenclosure 202 can cooperate to define a viewable area for the user and,additionally or alternatively, can provide a surface to which a faceshield can be coupled, as will be described subsequently.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly300 comprising a fan enclosure 302 positionable on the head of a userand a disposable garment 304. One or more channels or tubes 306 canextend from one or more ports 308 for distributing airflow to the user'sneck via one or more ventilation openings 310 disposed in the one ormore channels 306 within the disposable garment 304. The channels 306can be removably coupleable to ports 308 disposed in the fan enclosure302 via a fastener such as, for example and without limitation, a hookand loop fastener, a snap connection, a magnetic connection, a frictionfit, or any other suitable connection. Channels 306 can be linear or canbe curved to follow the contours of the user's neck. Channels 306 canextend to a level of the user's shoulders, to a level of the user'sears, or another length. Channels 306 can be integrated into thedisposable garment 304 or be separate from the disposable garment 304.Channels 306 can also serve to keep the disposable garment 304 fromcontacting the user's neck. FIGS. 3C and 4C show an embodiment where thefan is located at the rear of the helmet or fan enclosure 302.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly 400similar to that of FIGS. 3A-3B but including a chin bar 412. The chinbar 412 can extend from a portion of the fan enclosure 402 above orbehind a user's ears and positionable about a chin of the user. The chinbar 412 and a portion of the fan enclosure 402 can cooperate to define aviewable area for the user and, additionally or alternatively, canprovide a surface to which a face shield can be coupled, as will bedescribed subsequently.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 500comprising a fan enclosure 502 positionable on the head of a user so asto surround areas of the user's head and a protrusion 504 extending fromthe fan enclosure 502 down toward cheeks of the user. The protrusion 504can include one or more ventilation openings 506 disposed on the back orinterior of the protrusion 504. The ventilation openings 506 are influid communication with the fan 508. The fan 508 can direct air fromthe fan enclosure 502, through each protrusion 504, and out through theventilation openings 506 towards a user's head or neck. The ventilationopenings 506 can be angled to direct air directly on the user's neck ordirectly on a back of the user's head near or below the user's occiput.Ventilation openings 506 can have baffles or nozzles to block or directthe flow of air therethrough. Alternatively or additionally, airflowthrough the ventilation openings can be controlled with a lever 507 thatslides within a track 509. Sliding lever 507 to one side of the track509 can fully close off the ventilation opening 506, and sliding lever507 to the other side of the track 509 can fully open the ventilationopening. Intermediate positions of the lever 507 within track 509 canpartially open or partially close the ventilation openings 506. Such anopen/close mechanism allows the user to control the amount of airflowthrough ventilation openings 506. Protrusions 504 can terminate aroundthe cheeks or mandible of the user or at a horizontal level of theuser's ear lobes, or can extend across the user's face in the form of achin bar such that both protrusions 504 are connected to each other.Protrusions 504 can provide a surface to which a face shield can becoupled, as will be described subsequently.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 600comprising a fan enclosure 602 positionable on the head of a user so asto surround areas of the user's head and, optionally, a protrusion 604(which in some embodiments can be a full chin bar positionable about thechin of the user) extending from the fan enclosure 602. The fanenclosure 602 can have one or more apertures 606 disposed at the base ofthe fan enclosure 602 below the fan 608. A headband strap 612 canoptionally have “scoops” or “flow directors” 610. If such scoops or flowdirectors are present, the one or more apertures 606 can direct theairflow generated by the fan 608 downwards towards flow directors 610.The flow directors 610 can be selectively adjustably redirected by theuser as desired, for example to the rear of the head or neck. The flowdirectors 610 can be located on the headband strap 612 or on separatestructure. The helmet assembly 600 may or may not include any nozzles orducts connected to the fan enclosure 602 or apertures 606.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 700comprising a fan enclosure 702 positionable on the head of a user so asto surround areas of the user's head and a headband 704 defining ahollow channel in fluidic communication with the fan 710. The headband704 can be fluidically coupled to the fan 710 via an internal conduit707 and can have a plurality of apertures 708 disposed therein fordistributing airflow downward from portions of the headband 704 throughapertures 708. In one example, the apertures 708 can be distributedacross a bottom and rear portion of the headband 604. In operation, airfrom the fan 710 can be transmitted to the hollow channel inside theheadband 604 via an internal conduit 707, and subsequently directedthrough the plurality of apertures 608, to be distributed to the back ofthe user's neck or head. Internal conduit 707 can apertures 708 b thatline up with apertures 708. Movement of internal conduit 707 to theright or left can misalign apertures 708 b and apertures 708 such thatair flow does not flow through apertures 708. An optional knob 706 canbe included to allow for moving the internal conduit 707 right or left,which serves to close off or open apertures 708 to air flow uponrotation of knob 706.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly 800comprising a fan 806 disposed in a fan enclosure 802 positionable on thehead of a user. The fan enclosure 802 surrounds areas of the user's headand directly distributes air over the top, side, and rear of the head,as well as to the neck, via apertures 804 disposed in the fan enclosure802 and/or helmet. Channels 808 defined in portions of the fan enclosure802, coupled with apertures 804 disposed in the fan enclosure 802 and influidic communication with the channels 808, can distribute air to thewearer's face. This surgical helmet assembly 800 optionally includes aheadband 810, in which case the headband 810 need not be located in anyparticular orientation relative to the fan enclosure 802, but may bebelow the fan enclosure 802 or may be within the fan enclosure 802 asshown in dashed lines in FIG. 8B. The headband 810 can be inflatable oradjustable in length such that its size is adjustable to allow thesurgical helmet assembly 800 to fit different size heads. Alternatively,the surgical helmet assembly 800 may fit the user's head without using aheadband at all. Helmet assembly 800 can also have lighting 805comprising LEDs, for example. Lighting 805 can be positioned on a frontof helmet assembly 800 above the face of the user and along a browportion of the helmet assembly.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly 900comprising a fan enclosure 902 positionable on the head of a user so asto surround areas of the user's head. Fan enclosure 902 can include adownwardly extending fan intake 904 positioned behind the user's head.The fan intake 904 faces the rear of the user's head, pulling air fromthe front of the helmet towards the rear of the helmet. The rear of thewearer's neck and head can be cooled via air being pulled into the fanintake 904 adjacent to the neck, rather than, or in addition to, airblown out of a fan inside the helmet and onto the neck or head. The fanenclosure 902 can optionally include internal channels 906 definedtherein that can direct air from air inlets 906 a on the top of thehelmet to outlets 906 b (apertures 908) disposed on an underside of thehelmet and preferably near the front of the fan enclosure 902 to beblown onto the user's face. An optional headband 912 is shown in dashedlines in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B shows a front view of the helmet with airtraveling from front air outlets 908 in a brow bar portion 914 of thefan enclosure 902 toward the back of the surgical helmet assembly 900into the fan intake 904. FIG. 9B also shows lights 910, such as LEDlights, disposed along the brow bar 914 of the fan enclosure 902.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1000 comprising a helmet enclosure 1002 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure1002 can include a brow bar portion 1006 positionable about the brow ofa user and, optionally, a chin bar portion 1008 positionable about thechin of a user. The helmet enclosure 1002 can define airflow pathways todirect air through the helmet enclosure 1002 and out of baffles orapertures 1008 disposed in the helmet enclosure 1002 to direct airflowto the user. In one example, baffles 1008, such as ventilation baffles,are disposed in an underside of the brow bar portion 1006 of the helmetenclosure 1002 that can direct airflow towards the user's face.Additionally, the baffles 1008 can be located to the sides of the LEDlight 1010 such that the LED light 1010 is not located below any frontnozzle opening so as to avoid distributing heat from lights 1010directly onto the user's face.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate other examples of a surgical helmet assembly 1100comprising a helmet enclosure 1102 positionable on the head of a user soas to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure 1102 caninclude a brow bar portion 1106 positionable about the brow of a userand, optionally, a chin bar portion 1108 positionable about the chin ofa user. The helmet enclosure 1102 can have lights 1110, such as lightemitting diodes (LEDs), integrally formed in the brow bar portion 1106or in the chin bar portion 1108 of the helmet enclosure 1102. Theorientation of the lights 1110 can be adjustable by the user so as toproject a beam of light directly in front of the user focused at adesired location. FIGS. 11 and 14 show examples of a surgical helmetassembly 1100 having lights integrated in to the brow bar portion 1106of the helmet enclosure 1102. FIG. 12 shows an example of a surgicalhelmet assembly 1100 having lights integrated into the chin bar portion1108 of the helmet enclosure. FIGS. 13 and 15 show examples of asurgical helmet assembly 1100 having lights integrated in to the browbar portion 1106 and the chin bar portion 1108 of the helmet enclosure1102.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1200 comprising a helmet enclosure 1202 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure1202 can include a brow bar portion 1206 positionable about the brow ofa user. The helmet enclosure 1202 can have a light 1207, such as an LED,coupled thereto that extends upward from or is positioned above the browbar portion 1206 and above all front air outlets 1210 disposed in thebrow bar portion 1206 of the helmet enclosure 1202. Light 1207 can havean adjustment knob 1208 to allow the user to adjust an angle of thelight 1207. In an additional embodiment, knob 1208 may also be rotatableto control a focus or brightness of light emanating from light 1207.

FIG. 17 illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 1300comprising a helmet enclosure 1302 positionable on the head of a user soas to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure 1302 caninclude a brow bar portion 1306 positionable about the brow of a user.The helmet enclosure 1302 can have a light source 1308 located in aninterior portion of the helmet enclosure 1302 and remote from the browbar portion 1306 of the helmet enclosure 1302, such as at a rear and topportion of the helmet as shown in FIG. 17. The light source 1308 can belocated, for example and without limitation, within a fan housing 1304coupled thereto. The light source 1308 can transmit light to a lightemitter 1312 disposed on or in the brow bar portion 1306 via a fiberoptic cable or light pipe 1310. A plurality of fiber optic cables 1310can be used to transmit light to a plurality of light emitters 1312.Light emitter 1312 can be angled to direct light in a desired direction.Light emitter 1312 can also comprise a rotatable focus ring 1312 a torotatably adjust the focus or intensity of light emanating from lightemitter 1312. An on/off switch 1313 can be located at light source 1308or can be positioned adjacent light emitter 1312 or elsewhere on thehelmet, for example. Light source 1308 can comprise a driver, such as anLED driver 1309, and can also comprise an integrated heatsink 1322 and apower source 1315, such as a battery, or may be connectable to a powersource that powers fan 1320. A cooling port 1321 may be in fluidcommunication with the heatsink 1322 and fan 1320. Air may be drawn inthrough fan 1320, through cooling port 1321, pass over and cool heatsink1322, and exit out an outlet port 1323, such as at a top of the helmet1300, where the hot air can rise away from the user wearing the helmet1300.

FIG. 18 illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 1400similar to FIG. 17. The light pipe 1410 may include integral opticalelements, such as one or more mirrors and/or lenses, and its directionmay be adjustable. The distal end of the light pipe 1410 may also beconnected to an adjustable mechanical housing 1414 that contains one ormore mirrors and/or lenses to direct light as desired. Mechanicalhousing 1414 may comprise a rod to adjust the direction of lightemanating from light emitter 1412. The light pipe 1410 or mechanicalhousing 1414 in this aspect may be located above, below, or lateral toany front air outlets. Other features explained above with reference toFIG. 13 (13##) also correspond to like features shown in FIG. 14 (14##).

FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1500 comprising a helmet enclosure 1502 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure1502 can include a brow bar portion 1506 positionable about the brow ofa user. The helmet enclosure 1502 can have a modular light 1508, such asa modular LED light, that is coupleable to the helmet enclosure 1502 orface shield 1510 from the exterior of the surgical garment 1512. Themodular LED light 1508 could be a sterile, disposable, single-use lightand, additionally or alternatively, can be coupled to the helmetenclosure 1502 or face shield 1510 by way of a snap-fit fastener,clip-on fastener, compression-fit fastener, clamping fastener, magneticfastener, suction-cup fastener, adhesive fastener, hook-and-loopfastener, or any other fastener suitable for attaching the modular LEDlight 1508 to the helmet enclosure 1502 or face shield 1510 from theexterior of the surgical garment 1512. It could be located anywheresuitable for providing light to the surgical field as desired by theuser.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1600 comprising a helmet enclosure 1602 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure1602 has one or more adjustable, flexible tubes 1604 coupled thereto tocommunicate airflow from the fan enclosure 1606 towards the user's face.The tubes 1604 may be adjusted in several directions, including theleft-right, front-back direction, and the up-down direction.Accordingly, the user can direct the tubes 1604 to allow cooling air toflow in a desired direction out of the outlets of the tubes 1604 nearlight 1608.

FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1700 comprising a helmet enclosure 1702 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head, a surgical garment1704, and an adjustable light assembly 1706. The adjustable lightassembly 1706 is attached to the surgical helmet assembly 1700 above allof the air outlets at the front of the helmet enclosure 1702. In thisdesign, the transparent face shield 1708 may extend higher than the browbar 1710 of the helmet enclosure 1702 to allow light to pass through tothe operating field, as shown in FIG. 21C. Air outlets 1705 can directcooling air down toward the user's face, as depicted by the downwardarrows.

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly1800 comprising a helmet enclosure 1802 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head and a face shield 1804coupleable to the helmet enclosure 1802. The face shield 1804 can becoupled to the helmet enclosure 1802 by mating pairs of hook and looptype fasteners 1806 spaced along the chin bar 1810 and the brow bar 1808when assembled. Corresponding mating pairs of hook and loop fasteners1806 on the face shield 1804 are depicted in FIG. 22B.

FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate yet another example of a surgical helmetassembly 1900 similar to that of FIGS. 22A-22B. The surgical helmetassembly 1900 comprising a helmet enclosure 1902 positionable on thehead of a user so as to surround areas of the user's head and a faceshield 1904 coupleable to the helmet enclosure 1902. The face shield1904 can be coupleable to the helmet enclosure 1902 by mating pairs ofhook and loop type fasteners 1906, with a first pair of fasteners 1906 aextending along a chin bar 1908 of the helmet enclosure 1902 whenassembled and a second pair of fasteners 1906 b positioned at the frontof the brow bar 1910 when assembled.

FIGS. 24A-24D illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly2000 comprising a helmet enclosure 2002 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head and a face shield 2004coupleable to the helmet enclosure 2002 that can be sufficiently largethat it need not be centered relative to the helmet enclosure 2002 toaccommodate an unobstructed view for the user. The face shield 2004 canform part of a surgical garment 2006 that also includes a filter 2008that is positioned over a fan intake 2012. FIGS. 24A and 24B show backviews of helmet assembly 2000, and FIG. 24D shows a side view of helmetassembly 2000. The surgical garment 2006 can be coupled to the helmetenclosure 2002 via mating pairs of fasteners 2010 that ensure the filter2008 is positioned over the fan intake 2012 of the helmet enclosure2002. Such fasteners 2010 can include, for example and withoutlimitation, button snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets, or the like.The border of the face shield 2004 may include a malleable wire 2014along its perimeter to permit the user to mold the face shield 2004 tothe helmet enclosure 2002.

FIG. 25A illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 2100comprising a helmet enclosure 2102 positionable on the head of a user soas to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure 2102 caninclude a brow bar portion 2104 positionable about the brow of a user.The brow bar portion 2104 can include a channel or lip 2106 extendingalong at least a portion thereof for receiving a face shield 2108 havinga mating member 2110 receivable in the channel as illustrated in FIGS.25B and 25C. The mating member 2110 for the channel or the clip caninclude, for example and without limitation, a compression fit member, afriction fit member, a snap fit member, an interlocking fit member, andthe like.

FIG. 26A illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 2200comprising a helmet enclosure 2202 positionable on the head of a user soas to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure 2202 caninclude a brow bar portion 2204 positionable about the brow of a userand a chin bar portion 2212. The brow bar portion 2204 can include achannel or lip 2206 extending along at least a portion thereof forreceiving a face shield 2208 having a mating member 2210 receivable inthe channel as illustrated in FIGS. 26B and 26C. The mating member 2210for the channel or the clip can include, for example and withoutlimitation, a compression fit member, a friction fit member, a snap fitmember, an interlocking fit member, and the like. Additionally oralternatively, a side of the face shield 2208 can be clipped into achannel 2214 disposed on the helmet enclosure 2202 near the upperportion of the chin bar 2212.

FIG. 27A illustrates another example of a surgical helmet assembly 2300comprising a helmet enclosure 2302 positionable on the head of a user soas to surround areas of the user's head. The helmet enclosure 2302 caninclude a brow bar portion 2304 positionable about the brow of a user.The brow bar portion 2304 can include one or more fasteners 2306extending along at least a portion thereof for coupling to a face shield2308. The one or more fasteners 2306 can include, for example andwithout limitation, snaps, push nuts, suction cups or the like disposedalong the brow bar portion 2304. Alternatively, the fastener(s) 2306 canbe disposed on the face shield 2308 and secured along the brow barportion 2304 of the helmet enclosure 2302. Although not shown in FIG.27A, the surgical helmet assembly 2300 may include a chin bar providedwith one or more snaps, push nuts, suction cups or the like for furtherattaching the face shield.

FIGS. 28A-28B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly2400 comprising a helmet enclosure 2402 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head and a flexible shield2408 coupleable to the helmet enclosure 2402. The helmet enclosure 2402can include a brow bar portion 2404 positionable about the brow of auser and, optionally, a chin bar portion 2406 positionable about thechin of a user. The flexible shield 2408 can be coupleable to the helmetenclosure 2402, at least in part, by fasteners 2412 such as, for exampleand without limitation, a mechanical fastener, an adhesive fastener, amagnetic fastener, and the like. Such fasteners 2412 can be positionedat one or more of the temple regions of the user, the brow bar portion2404, and the chin bar portion 2406 of the helmet enclosure 2402.Additional attachment points may be provided by hook-and-loop fasteners,suction cups, snaps, push nuts, and the like as shown in FIGS. 27B-27C,for example. In one example, the fasteners 2412 located at the templeregions of the user can be coupleable to the shield 2408, for exampleand without limitation, shield by using corresponding hook-and-loopfasteners, snaps, push nuts, suction cups, adhesives, magnets, or thelike, on the shield 2408. Additionally or alternatively, the templeregions of the face shield 2408 may include apertures to facilitatemechanical attachment of the face shield 2408 by using separate hardwareto engage with the helmet enclosure 2402. For example, the helmetenclosure 2402 may include male protrusions for extending outwardlythrough the apertures disposed in the face shield 2408 that receiveR-clips, threaded nuts, snap-fit nuts, or the like. Additionally oralternatively, the helmet enclosure 2402 may include female receptaclesfor receiving threaded bolts or snap-fit bolts extending inwardlythrough the apertures disposed in the face shield 2408.

FIGS. 29A-29B illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly2500 comprising a helmet enclosure 2502 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head and a face shield 2508coupleable to the helmet enclosure 2502. The helmet enclosure 2502 caninclude a brow bar portion 2504 positionable about the brow of a userand, optionally, a chin bar portion 2506 positionable about the chin ofa user. A recessed channel 2510 can circumscribe all or a portion ofeither or both of the brow bar portion 2504 and the chin bar portion2506. A bead 2512 disposed on a protective garment 2508 can be insertedor press fit into the recessed channel 2510 to secure the protectivegarment 2508 to the helmet enclosure 2502. The bead 2512 can be aplurality of beads or can be an extruded bead. The bead 2512 can beattached directly to or can be integral with the face shield 2508, whichin turn may be integral with or attached to a protective garment, or thebead 2512 can be attached directly to the fabric of the protectivegarment that surrounds the face shield 2508. The channel 2510 may belarge enough such that the bead 2512 and face shield 2508 can beadjusted when the bead 2512 is within the channel 2510.

FIGS. 30A-30C illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly2600 comprising a shoulder harness 2602 positionable on the shoulders ofa user and a face shield 2604 coupleable to the shoulder harness 2602.The shoulder harness 2602 can include an intake fan 2606 and an outtakefan 2608 and, additionally or alternatively, a lighting source 2610,such as an LED headlamp. One or more air outlets can be disposed in theshoulder harness 2602 and in communication with conduits extendingthrough the shoulder harness 2602 in order to direct airflow to the faceand back of the user. Lighting source 2610 can be electronicallyconnected to the shoulder harness 2602 and power source 2612 via aflexible wire 2617. Alternatively, lighting source 2611 can be connectedto shoulder harness 2602 via a wire that extends along a periphery ofshield 2604, such as along a top and side of shield 2604, so as to keepthe user's head unrestrained to the shoulder harness 2602. Lightingsource 2610 can be connected to a headband 2615 that encircles theuser's head. Alternatively, lighting source 2610 can be connected toshield 2604 and supported by shield 2604. Lighting source 2610 maycomprise a head rest 2611 that is configured to rest on the user'sforehead when the lighting source 2610 is worn. The headrest may besupported by the headband or the shield 2604, similar to the lightingsource 2610. The shield 2604 can be coupleable to the shoulder harness2602 and can extend upward to shield the face of a user. The shield 2604can be coupled to a protective garment to cover at least the head andshoulders of the user in use. A power source enclosure 2612 can extendfrom the back of the shoulder harness 2602 and receive a power source2614. One or more control extensions 2616 can extend from the front ofthe shoulder enclosure 2602 so that the controls can be located in thesterile field under the surgical helmet assembly 2600. As one skilled inthe art will appreciate in light of the present disclosure, such ashoulder-mounted system can increase user comfort by offloading theweight of the surgical helmet assembly 2600 to the shoulders from thehead.

FIGS. 31A-31D illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly2700 comprising a helmet enclosure 2702 positionable on the head of auser so as to surround areas of the user's head and a face shield 2704coupleable to the helmet enclosure 2702. The helmet enclosure 2702 caninclude a brow bar portion 2706 positionable about the brow of a userand, optionally, a chin bar portion 2708 extendable towards, orpositionable about, the chin of a user. Chin bar portions 2708 cancomprise vents 2709 in fluid communication with fan 2710. Electronicallytranslatable vent closures can be electronically connected to controls2716 to open or close vents 2709. The helmet enclosure 2702 can includea fan 2710 and, additionally or alternatively, a lighting source 2712,such as an LED headlamp. The shield 2706 can be coupleable to the helmetenclosure 2702 at both temple regions using connectors 2714 or along aportion of the brow bar portion 2706 and can extend downward to shieldthe face of a user. Connectors 2714 can be magnets or other connectionmechanisms disclosed in reference to FIGS. 28A-B, numeral 2412. Theshield 2704 can be coupled to a protective garment to cover at least thehead and shoulders of the user in use. An enclosure 2714 can extend theairflow to the user's back to add comfort while in use with a surgicalgown. One or more control 2716 can extend from the helmet enclosure 2702towards the front of the user so that the controls can be located in thesterile field under the surgical helmet assembly 2700. The control 2716can be integrated into a power cord or can be incorporated into apendant and maintained in the sterile field of the surgical helmetassembly 2700 during use. Controls 2716 can control a brightness and/orfocus of lighting source 2712. Controls 2716 can also control an amountof airflow through vents 2709 by opening or closing off vents 2709.

FIGS. 32, 33A-33D, and 34A-34B illustrate another example of a surgicalhelmet assembly 2800 comprising a fan enclosure 2802 positionable on thehead of a user so as to surround areas of the user's head and a faceshield 2804 coupleable to the fan enclosure 2802. The fan enclosure 2802includes a rigid body to support a surgical garment and the face shield2804, a lighting source 2806, and a fan 2808. The fan enclosure 2802 caneither be at least partially hollow or have channels disposed thereinfor flow of air or a location for electronic components. The fanenclosure 2802 can also include a cut out portion at the top of the headto, for example and without limitation, reduce the total weight orprofile of the system and allow for more heat dissipation from theuser's head. In any case, the fan enclosure 2802 can also includeapertures disposed therein that direct airflow generated by the fan 2808to a user. The fan 2808 can comprise a conformal fan having curvedblades to minimize the profile of the fan enclosure 2802. The fan 2808can also have blades including features to reduce fan noise such as, forexample and without limitation, ridges and the like. The surgical helmetassembly 2800 can also comprise an adjustable system 2810 for conformingto the head of a user that can include a knob operable to selectivelyadjust and release the adjustable system 2810. Additionally oralternatively, the surgical helmet assembly 2800 can include a flexibleelastic strap 2812 for securement to the head of a user that can beeasily maneuvered around the hair of a user. The flexible elastic strap2812 can include a plurality of holes 2814 disposed therein forselectively receiving a fastener 2816 to accommodate the head of theuser. The fan enclosure 2802 can comprise a brow bar portion 2812 thatcan have the light source 2806 disposed on or integrated therein. Thelight source 2806 can comprise an LED bar. The face shield 2804 can becoupleable to the fan enclosure 2802 via, for example and withoutlimitation, quick connect fasteners and the like. The face shield 2804can be coupleable to the fan enclosure 2802 from left to right or rightto left. FIG. 33A illustrates a perspective front view of the surgicalhelmet assembly 2800 without a surgical garment and FIG. 33B includesshaded regions on the body of the user to indicate airflow. FIG. 33Cillustrates the face shield 2804 can be coupleable to the fan enclosure2802 from left to right or right to left. FIG. 33D illustrates thesurgical helmet assembly including a surgical garment 2814. One or morecontrol pendants 2818 can extend from the fan enclosure 2802 towards thefront of the user so that the controls can be located in the sterilefield under the surgical helmet assembly 2800. FIGS. 34A and 34Billustrate pendants 2818 having an on/off control 2820 and an intensitycontrol 2822. The intensity control can be, for example, activated onceto turn on (FIG. 34A) and a second time to increase the intensity of thelight source 2806 (FIG. 34B).

FIGS. 35, 36A-36C, and 37A-37C illustrate another example of a surgicalhelmet assembly 3000 comprising a fan enclosure 3002 positionable on thehead of a user, a brow bar portion 3004 positionable around a brow orforehead of a user, a chin bar portion 3005 extending from andcontinuous with the brow bar portion 3004 that is positionable around achin of a user, a face shield 3006 coupleable to at least the brow barportion 3004, and a surgical garment 3018 for covering at least the headand shoulders of a user. The fan enclosure 3002 includes a rigid housingcontaining a fan and air tubes 3008 physically and fluidically couplingthe fan enclosure 3002 to the brow bar portion 3004. The fan enclosure3002, the brow bar portion 3004, or the chin bar portion 3005 can alsoinclude foam that can reduce the noise generated by the fan. The browbar portion 3004 can have apertures or vents disposed therein to directairflow from the fan onto the user. The fan enclosure 3002 can also havea cooling tube 3010 coupled thereto and extending down the back of theuser to cool the back of the user. The surgical helmet assembly 3000 canalso comprise an adjustable system 3012 for conforming to the head of auser that can include a knob operable to selectively adjust and releasethe adjustable system 3000. The surgical helmet assembly 3000 caninclude a flexible elastic strap 3014 for secondary securement to thehead of a user. The brow bar portion 3004 that can have a light source3016 disposed on or integrated therein. The light source 3016 cancomprise an LED bar. The face shield 3006 can be coupleable to the browbar portion 3004 via, for example and without limitation, quick connectfasteners and the like. The face shield 3006 can be coupleable to thebrow bar portion 3004 from left to right or right to left. The faceshield 3006 can also have a fluid repelling coating applied thereto.FIG. 37A illustrates one exemplary air flow pattern for the surgicalhelmet assembly 3000 from the fan enclosure towards the brow bar portion3004 and the chin bar portion 3005 and FIG. 37B illustrates oneexemplary air flow pattern for the cooling tube 3010 to the back of theuser. The underside of either the fan enclosure 3002 or the brow barportion 3004 can be lined in a fabric 2020 such as, for example andwithout limitation, a moisture wicking fabric or a microbial fabric(e.g., a silver-impregnated antimicrobial fabric). FIGS. 36A-36Cillustrate exemplary steps in the donning process of the surgical helmetassembly 3000.

FIGS. 38, 39A-39C, and 40A-40B illustrate another example of a surgicalhelmet assembly 3100 comprising a fan enclosure 3102 positionable on thehead of a user, a brow bar portion 3104 positionable around a brow orforehead of a user, a face shield 3106 coupleable to the brow barportion 3104, and a surgical garment 3118 for covering at least the headand shoulders of a user. The fan enclosure 3102 includes a rigid housingcontaining a fan and air tubes 3108 physically and fluidically couplingthe fan enclosure 3102 to the brow bar portion 3104. The fan enclosure3102 or the brow bar portion 3104 can also include foam that can reducethe noise generated by the fan. The brow bar portion 3104 can haveapertures or vents disposed therein to direct airflow from the fan ontothe user. The brow bar portion 3104 can have a relatively large area forface shield 3106 contact and securement to enable the face shield 3106to maintain a proper contour without needing securement to a chin bar.The brow bar portion 3104 can also have ear guards 3122 extending awayfrom the opposite ends thereof that can be contoured to wrap around theback side of a user's ears. The ear guards 3120 can help redirect soundaway from the user's ears, thereby reducing fan noise. The surgicalhelmet assembly 3100 can also comprise an adjustable system 3112 forconforming to the head of a user that can include a knob operable toselectively adjust and release the adjustable system 3100. The surgicalhelmet assembly 3100 can include a flexible elastic strap 3114 forsecondary securement to the head of a user. The brow bar portion 3104that can have a light source 3116 disposed on or integrated therein. Thelight source 3116 can comprise an LED bar. The face shield 3106 can becoupleable to the brow bar portion 3104 via, for example and withoutlimitation, quick connect fasteners and the like. The face shield 3106can be coupleable to the brow bar portion 3104 from left to right orright to left. The face shield 3106 can also have a fluid repellingcoating applied thereto. FIG. 40A illustrates one exemplary air flowpattern for the surgical helmet assembly 3100 from the fan enclosuretowards the brow bar portion 3104. The underside of either the fanenclosure 3102 or the brow bar portion 3104 can be lined in a fabricsuch as, for example and without limitation, a moisture wicking fabricor a microbial fabric (e.g., a silver-impregnated antimicrobial fabric).One or more control pendants 3122 can extend from the helmet enclosure3104 towards the front of the user so that the controls can be locatedin the sterile field under the surgical helmet assembly 3100. FIGS.39A-39C illustrate exemplary steps in a donning process for the surgicalhelmet assembly 3100.

FIGS. 41, 42A-42C, and 43A-43C illustrate another example of a surgicalhelmet assembly 3200 comprising a head enclosure 3202 positionable onthe head of a user, a lighting source 3210 positionable proximate a browor forehead of a user, a face shield 3206 coupleable to the headenclosure 3202, and a surgical garment 3214 for covering at least thehead and shoulders of a user. The head enclosure 3202 contains conduitsand apertures to facilitate airflow distribution to the user from anairflow source. The head enclosure 3202 can be coupled to a cap 3204,such as a flexible, moisture wicking, conformable fabric cap and canextend around the head of a user from the user's forehead towards thebase of the user's skull. The face shield 3206 can be coupleable to thehead enclosure 3202 via shield attachment features 3208 provided oneither side of the head enclosure 3202. The shield attachment features3208 can be positionable above or behind the user's ears when the userwhen the head enclosure 3208 is positioned on the user's head. Theshield attachment features 3208 can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, quick connect fasteners and the like. The face shield 3106can also have a fluid repelling coating applied thereto. The lightsource 3116 can comprise an LED bar. One or more control pendants 3214can extend from the head enclosure 3202 towards the front of the user sothat the controls can be located in the sterile field under the surgicalhelmet assembly 3200. Furthermore, a fan enclosure 3216 can be coupledto the head enclosure 3202 via tubing 3212 and, as illustrated in FIG.43C, worn on a belt positioned around the waist of the user. In thisway, the weight of the fan can be offloaded to a user's waist, allowingfor reductions in the size and cost of the head enclosure 3202 over suchdesigns incorporating a fan into the head enclosure. FIGS. 42A-42Cillustrate exemplary steps in a donning process for the surgical helmetassembly 3200, while FIG. 43B illustrates exemplary airflow for thesurgical helmet assembly 3200.

FIGS. 44, and 45A-45C illustrate another example of a surgical helmetassembly 3300 comprising an integrated disposable or single-use helmetstructure 3304 and an integrated face shield 3310, a lighting source3306 positionable proximate a brow or forehead of a user. The hoodstructure 3302 can include a surgical garment 3302 for covering at leastthe head and shoulders of a user. The surgical garment 3302 can haveties 3312 for tightening the surgical garment around the neck of a user.The surgical helmet assembly 3300 can have a port 3316 or aperturedisposed therein for coupling a tube 3316 thereto. The tube 3316 can becoupled to an air supply on an opposite end, such as the fan enclosuredepicted above in FIG. 43C. The surgical helmet assembly 3300 canprovide a seamless, disposable system to increase cleanliness. Thelighting source 3306 can comprise a separate component securable aboutthe user's head via a headband 3308 and can be an LED headlamp. Thelighting source 3306 can be positionable under the integrated helmetstructure 3304, integrated face shield 3310, and surgical garment 3302.The integrated helmet structure 3304 can include apertures or vents 3314disposed therein for directing airflow onto a user. FIGS. 45A-45Cillustrate exemplary steps in a donning process for the surgical helmetassembly 3300.

FIGS. 46, 47A-47D, 48, 49, and 50 illustrate another example of asurgical helmet assembly 3400 comprising a shoulder enclosure 3402positionable on the shoulders of a user and a face shield 3404coupleable to the shoulder enclosure 3402. The shoulder enclosure 3402can include an intake fan 3414 and an outtake fan 3415 positioned on anupwardly extending fan housing 3412 at a rear portion of the shoulderenclosure 3402. The surgical helmet assembly 3400 can include a lightingsource 3406, such as an LED headlamp. The lighting source 3406 can beseparately securable about the head of the user via a band 3408. Theshield 3404 can be coupleable to the shoulder enclosure 3402 and canextend upward to shield the face of a user. The shield 3404 can becoupled to a protective garment to cover at least the head and shouldersof the user in use as illustrated in FIG. 47D. A power cord 3420 canextend from the back of the shoulder harness and receive a power sourceat an opposite end thereof. One or more control extensions 3410 canextend from the front of the shoulder enclosure 3402 so that thecontrols can be located in the sterile field under the surgical helmetassembly 3400. As one skilled in the art will appreciate in light of thepresent disclosure, such a shoulder mounted system can increase usercomfort by offloading the weight of the surgical helmet assembly 3400 tothe shoulders from the head. FIGS. 47A-47D illustrate an exemplarydonning process for the surgical helmet assembly 3400, FIGS. 48 and 49illustrate exemplary air flow patterns for the surgical helmet assembly3400, and FIG. 50 illustrates exemplary placement of the intake fan 3414and the outtake fan 3415.

FIGS. 51A-51B illustrate one exemplary battery holster 3500. The batteryholster 3500 can include a housing 3502 for receiving a battery 3504 andcan include a finger slot 3506 in the housing 3502 for facilitatingremoval of the battery. A rear surface of the housing 3502 can include aholster clip 3508 for securing the battery 3504 to a holster worn by theuser or integrated into the surgical helmet assembly. A power cable 3510can extend from the top of the housing3502 in an upward direction andcan be coupleable to the surgical helmet assembly to supply powerthereto.

FIGS. 52A-52B illustrate another exemplary battery holster 3600. Thebattery holster 3600 can include a housing 3602 for receiving a battery3604 and can include a finger slot 3606 in the housing 3602 forfacilitating removal of the battery. A rear surface of the housing 3602can include a holster clip 3608 for securing the battery 3604 to aholster worn by the user or integrated into the surgical helmetassembly. A power cable 3610 can extend from the side of the housing3602 in a lateral direction and can be coupleable to the surgical helmetassembly to supply power thereto.

FIGS. 53A-53B illustrate another exemplary battery holster 3700. Thebattery holster 3700 can include a housing 3702 for receiving a battery3704 and can include a finger slot 3706 in the housing 3702 forfacilitating removal of the battery. A rear surface of the housing 3702can include a holster clip 3708 for securing the battery 3704 to aholster worn by the user or integrated into the surgical helmetassembly. A power cable 3710 can extend from the bottom of the housing3702 in a downward direction and can be coupleable to the surgicalhelmet assembly to supply power thereto.

FIGS. 54A-54D illustrate another example of a surgical helmet assembly3800 comprising a helmet enclosure 3802 positionable on the head of auser, a brow bar portion 3804 positionable around a brow or forehead ofa user, a face shield 3806 coupleable to at least the brow bar portion3804, and a surgical garment 3808 for covering at least the head andshoulders of a user in use. The brow bar portion 3804 can have aperturesor vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushed through the helmetenclosure 3802 from the fan onto the user. The brow bar portion 3804 canhave a relatively large area for face shield 3806 contact and securementto enable the face shield 3806 to maintain a proper contour withoutneeding securement to a chin bar. The brow bar portion 3804 can alsohave stabilizers or ear guards 3822 extending away from the oppositeends thereof to extend downward in front of the user's ears. The earguards 3822 can help redirect sound away from the user's ears, therebyreducing fan noise. The surgical helmet assembly 3800 can also comprisean adjustable system 3812 for conforming to the head of a user that caninclude a knob operable to selectively adjust and release the adjustablesystem 3800. The brow bar portion 3804 that can have a light source 3816disposed on or integrated therein. The light source 3816 can comprise anLED bar. The face shield 3806 can be coupleable to the brow bar portion3804 via, for example and without limitation, quick connect fasteners,hook and loop fasteners, a post protruding from the brow bar portion3804, and the like. The face shield 3806 can be coupleable to the browbar portion 3804 from left to right or right to left. The face shield3806 can also have a fluid repelling coating applied thereto.

As illustrated in FIGS. 55A and 55B, another embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes a toga or surgical garment 3900. The surgicalgarment 3900 can include impermeable Association for the Advancement ofMedical Instrumentation (AAMI) level 4 poly-reinforced fabric 3902 inthe critical areas (potentially high contact with medical waste),breathable AAMI level 2 fabric 3904 in the non-critical areas wherecontact with medical waste is less likely, and breathable sleeves havinga non-slip film 3906 applied thereto. A perforated section 3908 at thebottom of the surgical garment 3900 to allow users to vary the length ofthe surgical garment to ensure proper fit. The surgical garment 3900 caninclude a zipper to facilitate donning. The zipper can include aprotruded geometry that can allow users to avoid contaminating the backof the surgical garment during the donning process and, additionally oralternatively, in use.

Each of the fans in the above-described embodiments can be aconventional blade fan, or alternatively can be a “bladeless” fan or airmultiplier. An air multiplier contains hidden blades (hidden from theexterior) driven by a brushless motor. Air travels through an intake,and then through a hollow channel, and then along an interior curvedwall that leads to a ring-shaped angular slit. The curved path the airfollows as it passes over the interior curved wall creates an area ofnegative pressure, which draws more air into the flow, therebymultiplying the airflow from the original air intake. This inducedairflow is laminar or smooth as opposed to turbulent airflow in aconventional blade fan. A laminar airflow through a surgical helmet ishighly advantageous because it cuts down on the noise caused by the fan,which noise can sometimes distract the person wearing the helmet, suchas in an operating room. Moreover, because air multipliers are moreefficient, less power is consumed during operation, leading to a longerbattery life.

It should be understood that the features described with respect to oneembodiment can be used in other embodiments, as would be appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a particular figure andcorresponding explanation may focus on the location of air vents whileanother figure and corresponding explanation may focus on how the faceshield is attached to the helmet or where the lighting components arelocated. Such features can be combined and indeed are preferred to be toform a holistic helmet, but the concepts and features are divided out inthe drawings for clarity of description purposes. A list of examples isprovided below to emphasize that

A list of numbered examples of the present subject matter follow:

Example 1 is a surgical helmet assembly, comprising: a helmet enclosureshaped to encircle a head of a user including a brow bar portion at afront of the helmet enclosure that is shaped to extend along a brow or aforehead of the user and a stabilizer shaped to extend downward from thehelmet enclosure in front of ears of the user; a fan retained in thehelmet enclosure; a face shield that is transparent and coupleable to atleast the brow bar portion by one or more of a hook and loop fastenerand a post protruding from the brow bar portion; a headband shaped toextend across an occiput region of the user's head coupled to the helmetenclosure; and a surgical garment coupleable to the helmet enclosure forcovering at least the head and shoulders of a user in use, wherein thebrow bar portion has vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushedthrough the helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes alight coupled to the brow bar portion.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2optionally includes a light integrated into the brow bar portion.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3optionally includes a light that is a light-emitting diode.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4optionally includes an adjustable headband.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 optionally includes theheadband having a knob operable to selectively adjust the headband.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6optionally includes a face shield comprising a fluid-repelling coatingapplied thereto.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7optionally includes a stabilizer comprising vents disposed therein todirect airflow pushed through the helmet enclosure from the fan onto theuser.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8optionally includes a fan that is a blade fan.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8optionally includes a fan that is an air multiplier.

In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes anair multiplier having blades driven by a brushless motor.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11optionally includes an AAMI (Association for the Advancement of MedicalInstrumentation) level 4 poly-reinforced fabric in critical areas.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-12optionally includes a breathable AAMI level 2 fabric in non-criticalareas.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-13optionally includes a surgical garment having a pair of sleevescomprising a breathable fabric having a non-slip film applied thereto.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-14optionally includes a surgical garment having a perforated section atthe bottom to enable customization of a length of the surgical garment.

Example 16 is a surgical helmet assembly, comprising: a helmet enclosureshaped to encircle a head of a user comprising a brow bar portion at afront of the helmet enclosure that is shaped to extend along a brow or aforehead of the user, a stabilizer shaped to extend downward from thehelmet enclosure in front of ears of the user, and a fan retained in thehelmet enclosure, the brow bar portion including a light, and the helmetenclosure defining at least one conduit in fluidic communication withthe fan and vents disposed in the brow bar portion; a face shield thatis transparent and coupleable to at least the brow bar portion by one ormore of a hook and loop fastener and a post protruding from the brow barportion; a headband shaped to extend across an occiput region of theuser's head, the headband coupleable to the helmet enclosure; and asurgical garment coupleable to the helmet enclosure for covering atleast the head and shoulders of a user in use, wherein the ventsdisposed in the brow bar portion direct airflow pushed through the atleast one conduit in helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 16 optionally includes astabilizer having vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushedthrough the at least one conduit in the helmet enclosure from the fanonto the user.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-17optionally includes a fan that is an air multiplier.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 optionally includes theair multiplier having blades driven by a brushless motor.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 16-19optionally includes an AAMI (Association for the Advancement of MedicalInstrumentation) level 4 poly-reinforced fabric in critical areas andbreathable AAMI level 2 fabric in non-critical areas.

Each of these non-limiting examples and embodiments can stand on itsown, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with oneor more of the other examples or embodiments. Furthermore, features fromone embodiment can be used in other embodiments. For example, anembodiment may focus on the location of air vents while anotherembodiment may focus on how the face shield is attached to the helmet.Such embodiments can be combined and indeed are expected to be, but theconcepts were divided out in the specification and drawings for clarityof description purposes.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical helmet assembly, comprising: a helmetenclosure shaped to encircle a head of a user including a brow barportion at a front of the helmet enclosure that is shaped to extendalong a brow or a forehead of the user and a stabilizer shaped to extenddownward from the helmet enclosure in front of ears of the user; a fanretained in the helmet enclosure; a face shield that is transparent andcoupleable to at least the brow bar portion by one or more of a hook andloop fastener and a post protruding from the brow bar portion; aheadband shaped to extend across an occiput region of the user's headcoupled to the helmet enclosure; and a surgical garment coupleable tothe helmet enclosure for covering at least the head and shoulders of auser in use, wherein the brow bar portion has vents disposed therein todirect airflow pushed through the helmet enclosure from the fan onto theuser.
 2. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 1, further comprising alight coupled to the brow bar portion.
 3. The surgical helmet assemblyof claim 1, further comprising a light integrated into the brow barportion.
 4. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the lightcomprises a light-emitting diode.
 5. The surgical helmet assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the headband is adjustable.
 6. The surgical helmetassembly of claim 5, wherein the headband comprises a knob operable toselectively adjust the headband.
 7. The surgical helmet assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the face shield comprises a fluid-repelling coatingapplied thereto.
 8. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein thestabilizer comprises vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushedthrough the helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user.
 9. The surgicalhelmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a blade fan. 10.The surgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises anair multiplier.
 11. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 10, whereinthe air multiplier comprises blades driven by a brushless motor.
 12. Thesurgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the surgical garmentcomprises Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI) level 4 poly-reinforced fabric in critical areas.
 13. Thesurgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the surgical garmentcomprises breathable AAMI level 2 fabric in non-critical areas.
 14. Thesurgical helmet assembly of claim 1, wherein the surgical garmentfurther comprises a pair of sleeves comprising a breathable fabrichaving a non-slip film applied thereto.
 15. The surgical helmet assemblyof claim 1, wherein the surgical garment comprises a perforated sectionat the bottom to enable customization of a length of the surgicalgarment.
 16. A surgical helmet assembly, comprising: a helmet enclosureshaped to encircle a head of a user comprising a brow bar portion at afront of the helmet enclosure that is shaped to extend along a brow or aforehead of the user, a stabilizer shaped to extend downward from thehelmet enclosure in front of ears of the user, and a fan retained in thehelmet enclosure, the brow bar portion including a light, and the helmetenclosure defining at least one conduit in fluidic communication withthe fan and vents disposed in the brow bar portion; a face shield thatis transparent and coupleable to at least the brow bar portion by one ormore of a hook and loop fastener and a post protruding from the brow barportion; a headband shaped to extend across an occiput region of theuser's head, the headband coupleable to the helmet enclosure; and asurgical garment coupleable to the helmet enclosure for covering atleast the head and shoulders of a user in use, wherein the ventsdisposed in the brow bar portion direct airflow pushed through the atleast one conduit in helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user. 17.The surgical helmet assembly of claim 16, wherein the stabilizercomprises vents disposed therein to direct airflow pushed through the atleast one conduit in the helmet enclosure from the fan onto the user.18. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 16, wherein the fan comprisesan air multiplier.
 19. The surgical helmet assembly of claim 18, whereinthe air multiplier comprises blades driven by a brushless motor.
 20. Thesurgical helmet assembly of claim 16, wherein the surgical garmentcomprises Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI) level 4 poly-reinforced fabric in critical areas and breathableAAMI level 2 fabric in non-critical areas.